Chapter 3

3.

“I did lie to you all these years,” Kendra said, looking at me without a shred of guilt.

“I never got over Colton. He’s the only man I’ve ever loved.”

I felt like the biggest fool alive.

I took a step back and let out a dry, bitter laugh.

“Fine. That’s just great.”

My voice was laced with heartbreak.

“Let’s get a divorce, then.”

“Yay!”

Maisie clapped her hands in excitement.

“I can finally hang out with Uncle Colton every single day! He plays video games with me and buys me burgers, unlike boring Daddy!”

Her words plunged into my chest like an icicle.

Cold and piercing.

When Kendra suffered from severe postpartum anxiety after giving birth, she couldn't care for Maisie.

I was the one who stayed up night after night, watching parenting tutorials.

I raised Maisie with endless patience from the day she was born.

For six years, I managed every detail of her life―her school, tutoring, meals, and clothes.

Yet now, all she cared about was her fun Uncle Colton.

All Colton did was buy her fast food and play games, and suddenly he was the better father.

“Maisie and I both prefer Colton, Dustin. The plot is over, so it's time for you to step aside.”

“Let’s head to city hall right now.”

Kendra’s tone was frigid, as if I were the intruder overstaying my welcome.

As if fighting back would only make me look pathetic.

【Host, you cannot agree to a divorce. A glitch was just detected―one remaining plot point has not been fulfilled.】

The System’s mechanical voice rang in my mind.

I froze.

“What do you mean?”

I was told today was the finish line.

Why did another plot requirement suddenly pop up?

The System sounded slightly embarrassed.

【Uh... it’s a system bug. You and Kendra still need to go on a three-day overseas trip together to fully conclude the storyline.】

【Don’t worry, since this was our error, there won't be physical punishments for deviations. I will only send warning alerts.】

I didn’t care anymore.

A wave of bone-deep exhaustion washed over me.

Eight years of playing along, only to realize I had been played for eight years.

“Dustin? What’s wrong with you?”

Kendra nudged my arm, eyeing me suspiciously.

Maisie chimed in, “Daddy, is the System talking to you again?”

Kendra’s face instantly paled.

“Is it really the System?” she asked frantically.

I shook my head with a bitter smile.

“No. I agree to the divorce.”

“Let’s... go now.”